Electronic Payment of Salaries for Work Permit Holders

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what proportion of Work Permit holders maintain bank accounts and are paid their salaries electronically; and (b) how the Ministry can make consistent electronic payments a regular practice for such workers.

Approximately 97% of employers of Work Permit holders who live in dormitories make salary payments electronically. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not collect data on the proportion of Work Permit holders (WPHs) – both living in and outside of dormitories – who are paid their salaries electronically.

As electronic payment of salaries reduces the risk of salary disputes and delayed salary payments, MOM strongly encourages employers to adopt electronic payment of salaries. Should any WPH request for his or her salary to be paid directly to his or her bank account in Singapore, the employer is legally required to do so under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.